Jackson, Pethel honored as STAR students at Gainesville Kiwanis meeting

Ashley Nelson of West Hall High School (center of first photo) was honored as STAR student for the Hall County area on Tuesday. She is pictured with her STAR teacher Anna Jackson and WHHS Principal Scott
Justus. Coleman Pethel of Lakeview Academy (right in second photo) is the STAR student for Gainesville. He selected Debra Zwald as his STAR teacher. (Photos submitted)

Students from West Hall High School and Lakeview Academy have been named STAR Students from the Hall County and Gainesville area school systems.

The Gainesville Kiwanis Club continued a longstanding tradition of paying tribute to all STAR Students and STAR Teachers from Hall County and Gainesville on Tuesday, Feb. 13, honoring each one with a framed certificate at a special luncheon.

As part of the ceremony, STAR Student Ashley Nelson of West Hall High School with STAR Teacher Anna Jackson and STAR Student Coleman Pethel of Lakeview Academy with STAR Teacher Debra Zwald received special recognition as System STAR Students and STAR Teachers. The system STAR Student is selected based on SAT score.

Nelson and Pethel will now compete at the regional level for STAR honors.

The Region 2 STAR Recognition Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2018 at the University of North Georgia's Dahlonega campus. Region 2 consists of 12 counties or school systems in the North Georgia Mountains including: Dawson, Fannin, Gainesville City, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, White and Mountain Ed. Charter School System.

After the Region 2 STAR Student winner is announced at the Recognition Banquet on March 21, that student will compete for the Georgia State STAR Student, which will be announced on Monday, April 23 at the State Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) STAR Banquet. Besides the SAT scores, other factors play a significant role in determining the State PAGE STAR Student including: scholarships, academic ability, leadership, citizenship, personal objective, extracurricular activities, personal philosophy, initiative, opinions and attitudes.

The Jackson County Community Outreach will award 23 scholarships totaling $30,000 to graduating seniors of the four Jackson County area high schools and the Jackson County Adult Learning Center in 2018.